This post is sponsored by Kentucky Beef Council on behalf of the Beef Checkoff. The content, recipe, and opinions are my own.
How often do you make your own stir-fry at home?! It’s quick and easy to do plus a great alternative to your typical takeout. This Easy Beef Stir-Fry is made with tender beef and colorful veggies, all coated in a flavorful sauce full of garlic and ginger. It’s healthy and loaded with nutrients to keep you full and satisfied. As written the recipe is gluten-free, paleo, and Whole30 which makes it great for a variety of diets. One serving is 335 calories and 5 SmartPoints on all three MyWW plans.
Why Make Your Own Stir-Fry
I love making stir-fry at home because you have 100% control over your ingredients. Takeout doesn’t always use the best cuts of meat and it’s loaded with sodium, preservatives, and who knows what else! By making your own, you get to choose the best looking beef and you can customize the veggies based on preference or even just use up whatever you have hanging out in the fridge! Not to mention it’s way more economical – you’ll have plenty of leftovers for the week!
Is Stir-Fry Healthy?
YES! This particular recipe is super healthy. The base of the recipe is thinly sliced lean beef. I took a short cut and picked up a package of pre-sliced stir-fry meat from the grocery store. I spoke to the butcher who let me know it was sliced sirloin which is a great option for stir-fry. Beef is a nutrition powerhouse, containing tons of essential nutrients that we need to fuel our body. Did you know that on average, a 3-ounce serving of cooked beef contains:
- 175 calories
- 51% DV of Protein (helps preserve and build muscle)
- 41% DV of B12 and 24 % DV of B6 (helps maintain brain function and provides energy)
- 39% DV of Zinc (helps maintain a healthy immune system)
- 38% DV of Selenium (helps protect cells from damage)
- 25% DV of Niacin (supports energy production and metabolism)
- 20% DV of Phosphorous (helps build bones and teeth)
- 14% DV of Riboflavin (helps convert food into fuel)
- 14% DV of Iron (helps your body use oxygen)
- 13% DV of Choline (supports nervous system development)*
Not too shabby, eh? I know a lot of folks tend to shy away from beef when they are dieting but I make sure to incorporate it multiple times a week for the reasons above and not to mention that it’s simply delicious and satisfying. Beef helps me thrive by nourishing my body and supporting my healthy, busy lifestyle.
Our stir-fry is also loaded with lots of fresh veggies that we cook until perfectly crisp-tender which helps them retain a lot of the nutrients that could otherwise be lost and cooked off. They’re full of fiber and plenty of vitamins and minerals which even further ups the health-factor of this dish. Lastly, our sauce is made with simple, natural ingredients. It’s 100% clean – no funny business that you might get elsewhere!
What Kind of Beef To Use
As I mentioned before, I was able to take a shortcut with this recipe and pick up a package of pre-sliced stir-fry meat. My grocery store uses beef sirloin for this but if you are unable to find pre-sliced meat you can simply make your own! Beef sirloin and flank steak are both great options for stir-fry. To ensure that your beef is tender you’ll want to make sure you cut against the grain and make long, thin slices – about 1/4 inch thick.
How To Serve
Pair this stir-fry with whatever base fits your needs. I chose to pack in even more veggies with a base of cauliflower rice. Lettuce wraps are also a great low-carb option or you can keep it classic with a base of white rice, brown rice, or ramen noodles. All delicious options!
My recipe for Easy Beef Stir-Fry makes 5 hearty servings at 335 calories each or 5 SmartPoints on all three MyWW plans. Enjoy!
For more information about the connection between beef and health/wellness and for more recipe inspiration, check out this website from KY Beef. #KyBeef #BeefItsWhatsForDinner #BeefStrong
*information reference: Beef Checkoff via USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Nutrient Data Laboratory.
- 1.25 lbs thinly sliced lean beef (I used sirloin - see above for additional info)
- 2 tbsp arrowroot powder (can sub cornstarch)
- 1 large broccoli crown, cut into bite-sized florets (can use one bag of pre-cut broccoli florets)
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 8oz can sliced water chestnuts, drained
- ½ c. water
- 4 tsp sesame oil, divided
- ½ c. beef broth, low sodium preferred
- ¼ c. coconut aminos (can sub low sodium soy sauce)
- 1½ tsp grated ginger or ginger paste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp pepper
- pinch of crushed red pepper
- additional salt/pepper, to taste
- green onion and sesame seeds, to garnish
- Season beef with a little salt and pepper. Toss with the arrowroot powder.
- Heat 1 tsp of oil over medium-high heat in a large, heavy pan. Add ½ of the beef and cook about 60 seconds per side. The outside of the beef should be mostly browned and starting to get a little caramelized. It doesn't need to be all the way cooked through. Remove from pan to a large plate.
- Heat another 1 tsp of oil in the pan and repeat with the remaining beef. Remove from pan to the large plate.
- Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tsp of oil and the broccoli and peppers. Add in ½ c. water and cover. Allow veggies to steam for about 5 minutes. Remove cover and cook and additional 2-3 minutes. Veggies should be bright and vibrant and perfectly crisp-tender.
- While the veggies steam, mix the sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk together the broth, coconut aminos, garlic, ginger, pepper, and crushed red pepper.
- Pour the sauce over the cooked veggies and scrape up and browned bits that may be on the bottom of the pan. Stir in the beef and water chestnuts. Allow to simmer 3-5 minutes until the sauce has thickened and reduced.
- Adjust seasonings if needed. Serve as desired and garnish with green onion and sesame seeds. Enjoy!
As written the recipe is gluten-free, paleo, and Whole 30 compliant.
Nutritional information is calculated with MyFitnessPal and may vary based on brands used. Smart Points information is calculated with the Weight Watchers app and may also vary based on brands used.
I am so excited you are making one of my recipes and I would love to see how it turns out! Make sure to share it on Instagram and tag me @rachelshealthyplate and use #rachelshealthyplate so I can see your creation!
